Review: Truman Kennedy – Werewolf Mask
By Judy Stein
The first thing to strike me about this collection of songs was the production: crisp, distinctive backup sounds, Truman’s big, relaxed, confident voice and the gorgeous little runs and contributions from an inspired collection of musicians. Nothing overpowers anything else; nothing gets buried. You hear it ALL, all at once.
Truman Kennedy’s first language is bluegrass; specifically, the sort of bluegrass that came along with the likes of John Hartford and Norman Blake: super clean, jazz-inspired licks and a slightly swingy virtuosity shared equally among a brilliant collection of musicians. There were a few tantalizing little mandolin curls that put me in mind of “Areo Plain,” and the overall feel and pace let the listener know that Truman has learned from the best. There are a few surprises here, though: saxophones, synthesizers, blues sounds, romping outlaw-country surprises. Just enough of a mix to keep you paying attention!
The songs themselves are an interesting mix: the classic country/bluegrass themes are definitely here. Aching to leave a small town, musicians down on their luck, iconic taverns or night spots, deserted families, people at the mercy of unjust situations and laws, even a child pleading with a drunken parent in the best “Don’t go Out Tonight Dear Father” tradition! In nearly every instance, though, Kennedy manages to take his songs to a place slightly off what you might expect. You won’t find any nostalgia for the good old days, only restless energy and an urge to right wrongs. Truman calls the collection “observations of lives both real and imagined,” and that’s as good a description as any: he is indeed an astute observer, making his subjects’ lives interesting.
Truman will be presenting these songs in an album release party on Saturday, December 21, at 8PM at Moshmellow, which is located at the corner of Jefferson and Cherokee. I’d give him a listen, if I were you. And bring the album home; I believe you’ll want to hear these songs more than once.
Judy Stein grew up in East St Louis. She has been singing, according to family members, since birth; actively collecting songs since about 12 or 13 years old. Along with the Irish music, She has volunteered at Focal Point from 1983 to the present, occasionally running the venue single-handedly. She also produced a weekly KDHX radio show on Sunday mornings, from1987 until they moved to Grand Center.
